Mexican cheese ranked fifth in the world

Oaxaca cheese was recognized as the fifth best in the world in the Best Cheeses in the World 2023 ranking published by the specialized website Taste Atlas. In the February list, the cheese originating from the central valleys of the state of Oaxaca stood out alongside four Italian cheeses, with the famous "quesillo" taking the number 5 spot with 4.7 out of 5 stars. According to the website, "it is a white, semi-soft cow's milk cheese. It is characterized by its stringy texture. It has a delicious, creamy, mild, and buttery flavor, making it ideal for quesadillas, empanadas, and tlayudas. The cheese has excellent melting properties, which is why it is often used in numerous baked dishes." The top-ranked cheese was Italy's Parmigiano Reggiano, which was rated 4.8 stars. In second place is Gorgonzola piccante, with 4.8 stars; followed by Burrata, with 4.7 stars; and in fourth place is Grana Padano, with 4.7 stars. What is Taste Atlas? Taste Atlas is a culinary website specializing in traditional food from around the world. The site evaluates food and drinks to create a map of the best dishes from each country. What is the origin of Oaxaca cheese? Several versions suggest it was created in the town of Reyes Etla, located in the central valleys region of the state of Oaxaca, in 1885, and its existence is attributed to Leobarda Castellanos. The story goes that its origin was an accident. 14-year-old Leobarda Castellanos forgot to monitor the temperature of the curdled milk for cheese production, causing it to overheat. To avoid being scolded by her parents, she added water to the mixture, which caused it to melt and separate into chewy strands, which were then called quesillo. Since then, Oaxaca cheese has been an iconic ingredient in the country, used in all kinds of traditional dishes. Tell us, did you know the origin of this cheese? Did you know it is one of the best in the world?